Chapter 6.2, Problem 50E

To determine

(a)

To find:

The coordinates in miles for the orbit of the artificial satellite Explorer VII can be modelled by the equation $\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$, Where $a=4465$ and $b=4462$, Earth’s center is located at one focus of the elliptical orbit.

Graph both the orbit of Explorer VII and the Earth’s surface on the same coordinate axes if the average radius of Earth is $3960$ mi.

To determine

(b)

To find:

The coordinates in miles for the orbit of the artificial satellite Explorer VII can be modelled by the equation $\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1$, Where $a=4465$ and $b=4462$, Earth’s center is located at one focus of the elliptical orbit.

Find the maximum and minimum heights of the satellite above Earth’s surface to the nearest mile.